New York State Senate changes hands; Republicans claim leadership over Democrats

The Associated PressNew York State Senate Minority leader Dean Skelos (center) speaks to the media as Sen. Thomas Libous (left) and Sen. Kenneth LaValle (background center) listen on, after the Republican Senate leaders held an extended conference in Albany March 31. Skelos was elected as majority leader Monday after Republicans staged a coup and took control of the Senate.

Update: Angry Democrats point out that the two Democratic senators who flipped today to vote with Senate Republicans each faced legal troubles in the recent past.

Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, was indicted in March on three counts of second-degree felony assault and three counts of third-degree misdemeanor assault after he was accused of slashing his girlfriend's face with a piece of broken glass.

Espada, D-Bronx, failed to file timely campaign finance reports with the Board of Elections and failed to pay more than $60,000 in fines. Then Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith threatened to take "immediate action" if the situation was not resolved.

Espada has since satisfied Smith's request to pay a portion of the fines, set up a campaign committee and make plans to pay the rest of the fines. Monserrate is awaiting trial.

Albany -- Senate Republicans just staged a coup in Albany and took control of the state Senate from the Democrats.

Two Democratic senators -- Downstaters Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr. -- voted with the Republicans to unseat Democrat Neil Breslin, who was leading today's session, and replace him with Republican Dean Skelos.

The new Republican majority then elected Espada as temporary Senate president and Skelos as majority leader. Democrats walked out of the chamber before the vote.

The split in the Senate had been 32-30, in favor of the Democrats. Monserrate and Espada's change of heart flips the majority in favor of the GOP.

Democrats won control of the state Senate for the first time in decades during last November's election.

Here's the news release sent from the Senate Republicans:

***** URGENT MEDIA ADVISORY *****

COME TO THE SENATE CHAMBER ASAP!!!

Members of the news media should come to the State Senate Chamber in the Capitol IMMEDIATELY or go the Senate web site -- www.nysenate.gov, scroll over photos and video, then click on live video gallery.

An historic change in leadership is taking place at this moment and a new bipartisan, coalition is being established that is bringing real reform to the Senate RIGHT NOW.